Sometimes those who reject our faith are the people who know us well.  Such is the case in our passage today.  Jesus arrives in his boyhood home town where he is among people who know him well. What he says about himself and the teaching he gives in the synagogue turns his hometown in an uproar.  Our hometown can bring challenges we don’t face anywhere else.

Luke 4:14-30

Synagogue Service Order

• Reciting of the Shema—Deuteronomy 6:4-5, “Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one.Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength.”
• Sharing in set prayers
• Reading from God’s law followed by a reading from the Prophets
• Expositions from different teachers that usually ties the readings together
• Service closes with a benediction

Isaiah 61:1-2
Isaiah 58:6
Luke 4:23-24

His own people couldn’t get past his background.

Example of two Prophets during one of the lowest periods of time in Israel’s History

• Elijah and a widow at Zarephath—1 Kings 17:7-16
• Elisha and a Gentile army commander Naaman—2 Kings 5:1-16

Why two Bible stories caused such an angry reaction

• They knew what they meant
• Jesus is telling them that you will reject me like you did the two prophets of Israel
• If you want God to work, you can’t come expecting signs and wonders.
• They didn’t see themselves as desperate but good family citizens. People who followed the law.  People who were not on the outside of God’s favor

Key takeaways

• There will be those in your life who will never forget your past.
• There is hope for anyone. You are not defined by your past.
• Join Him in proclaiming the Good News and expect rejection